Highest Poverty in Papua New Guinea

Top 28 cities ranked by highest poverty

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Papua New Guinea

Highest Poverty — Papua New Guinea

1 Wau 14 52.2%

2 Port Moresby 20 52.2%

3 Lae 14 52.2%

4 Arawa 07 52.2%

5 Mount Hagen 16 52.2%

6 Popondetta 04 52.2%

7 Madang 12 52.2%

8 Kokopo 10 52.2%

9 Mendi 05 52.2%

10 Kimbe 17 52.2%

11 Goroka 09 52.2%

12 Wewak 11 52.2%

13 Bulolo 14 52.2%

14 Daru 06 52.2%

15 Aitape 18 52.2%

16 Kavieng 15 52.2%

17 Kiunga 06 52.2%

18 Vanimo 18 52.2%

19 Tabubil 06 52.2%

20 Alotau 03 52.2%

21 Kundiawa 08 52.2%

22 Kainantu 09 52.2%

23 Tari 21 52.2%

24 Rabaul 10 52.2%

25 Ialibu 05 52.2%

26 Kokoda 04 52.2%

27 Lorengau 13 52.2%

28 Kerema 02 52.2%

Cities with the highest poverty rates in Papua New Guinea face deep economic challenges affecting a significant portion of their population. Wau has a poverty rate of 52.2%.

High poverty rates impact communities in multiple ways: reduced access to healthcare and healthy food, lower educational outcomes, higher crime rates, and deteriorating infrastructure. These challenges are interconnected and require comprehensive solutions.

Addressing poverty in these cities requires a multi-pronged approach including economic development, affordable housing, quality education, healthcare access, and workforce training programs targeting underserved populations.

Did You Know?

1. In Wau, 52.2% of residents — roughly 1 in 2 people — live below the poverty line.
2. Child poverty rates in these cities are often even higher than the overall rate, sometimes exceeding 40%.
3. Poverty is measured by household income relative to family size — the threshold varies from $15,060 for an individual to $31,200 for a family of four.

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